Amazon Reportedly In Pole Position To Acquire Twitch

Right under Google’s nose, Amazon is reportedly in pole position to snatch up Twitch. According to a report from The Information, the online retailer is in late-stage talks for a $1 billion acquisition for the popular streaming service, which has been attracting a lot of attention this past year.

It’s unclear why Twitch might spurn Google’s advances, especially since we thought the deal was all but done. However, sources close to the company’s plans claim joining Google’s YouTube could somehow lead to stifled innovation, which is definitely a valid concern given Twitch’s incredible rise.

None of the named companies has commented on a possible Twitch acquisition, but it’s clear more than one suitor is fighting for the streaming service’s attention. YouTube is already one of the top destinations on the Web, and adding Twitch would certainly create an unstoppable force. But imagine if Twitch joined up with Amazon. What benefits would the retailer provide? For one, we could envision direct links to games people are playing. Amazon affiliate links already populate a lot of the top channels, so perhaps we’ll see deeper integration in that regard.

We’re not really sure what will unfold, but The Information’s sources claim something will be announced soon. We’ll keep a close eye on what transpires, and hit you with the news as soon as it’s available.

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